THE JAWANDO REPORT

Dear Friends, 

As we head towards the Spring, I continue to be grateful for the opportunities to meet with residents across the county and see how we can make our communities better together. 

When this council was sworn in back in December, I shared how I spearheaded changes to Council rules to make our work more transparent for the public. We have taken some positive steps toward transparency, and I invite you to continue to share how the Council can work better for you and your neighbors.

As Chair of the Education and Culture Committee, our committee has held hearings on MCPS tutoring programs, workforce development and countywide efforts to address the challenges of opioids and youth overdoses. We are also reviewing the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget to ensure our schools have the facilities needed to meet our students' needs, and I encourage you to share feedback on the needs of your neighborhood school or community.

My Education Listening Tour continues. Last month I visited Kemp Mill Elementary School and Northwood High School and this past week, I was joined by District 3 Councilmember Sidney Katz at Gaithersburg Middle School. For more information on my tour, visit montgomerycountymd.gov/jawando/   

There’s exciting work being done. Here’s a look back at some of what you may have missed.

Council Commemorates Black History 

This year’s Black History Month theme was “Black Resistance,” I was honored to share my thoughts on Black Resistance and its importance during the Council’s celebration of Black History Month. Being Black in America is rooted in resistance. Since before the inception of this nation, Black people have resisted the status quo and by doing so, helped build a more perfect union. We fought back against slavery, resisted segregation, and we continue to resist the notion that this nation can’t continue to evolve into a more just and inclusive place. 

Black history has arguably never been more important than it is now. Sadly we’re still witnessing attacks against Black history. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has launched a crusade against an AP African American history in the form of an AP studies course, and the College Board changed its official Advanced Placement curriculum to remove writers and scholars linked to critical race theory, Black Lives Matter, and the queer experience, among other politically sensitive topics. Black History is American history.

Councilmember Jawando makes remarks during the Council session commemorating Black History Month

The Council’s Communications team did a fantastic job producing a video highlighting the story of Black Resistance through faith, education, activism, political representation, and Black fraternities and sororities. You can watch the video here.

Honoring the Divine Nine Fraternities and Sororities

I was honored to stand alongside Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles and present a proclamation in honor of Black History Month to the Divine Nine, nine of the oldest Black Greek-letter organizations, which comprise more than 100 years of tradition and continue to serve an essential role in the Black Community. Their work inspires community and civic engagement worldwide and here in the county. The Divine Nine has 14 chapters in Montgomery County!

Councilmember Jawando presents a proclamation to Divine Nine fraternities and sororities

Learn more about some of the Divine Nine’s Fraternities and Sororities' local chapters at the links below: 

• Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated
• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated
• Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated 
• Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated
• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated
• Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Incorporated

Stability for our Renters 

On Tuesday, March 7th, Councilmember Kristin Mink and I, with the support of County Executive Marc Elrich, introduced the Housing Opportunity, Mobility and Equity (HOME) Act during the Council session. Community organizations, landlords and renters joined us for a press conference introducing the HOME Act. We highlighted the costly impacts of renting in the County and how the bill would help relieve hundreds of thousands of renters.

The HOME Act helps keep renters in their homes by preventing rent gouging, reducing displacement, and creating cost predictability for renters and landlords. The Act sets a limit on the allowable annual rent increase for units to follow the Voluntary Rent Guidelines (VRG) or 3 percent, whichever is lower. The Act would exempt certain buildings from rent increase requirements, including newly constructed units for ten years and units connected to government programs, healthcare facilities, nursing homes, and owner-occupied units. 

The HOME Act also permits landlords to request a fair return increase, establishes an excise tax on rental units that remain vacant for more than a year, and funds affordable housing acquisitions. With our renting population and income inequality both continuing to increase, this is a common sense measure to provide stability and consistency for everybody, our renters, landlords, and developers.

Councilmembers Jawando and Mink alongside County Executive Marc Elrich make their case for the HOME Act during a March 7th press conference

Reimagining Public Safety

I remain committed to reimagining how our county handles public safety. I was proud to introduce the Safety and Traffic Equity in Policing (STEP) Act to limit traffic stops that have resulted in racial disparities. National research shows that Black and Latinx drivers are stopped and searched during traffic stops for lower‐level traffic violations at disproportionately higher rates than White drivers. In Montgomery County,  while the number of traffic stops declined between 2018 to 2022, racial disparities in traffic stops have persisted or worsened.

• Black drivers accounted for 30% of the stops despite being 18% of the population.
• Latinx drivers were 21% of the stops despite being 19% of the population.
• White drivers were underrepresented in traffic stops based on their population.

The STEP Act works to address systemic disparity issues. As we end Black History Month, I am reminded of our theme: Black Resistance. We must challenge ourselves to live up to our ideals and take a hard and sobering look at the inequities that impact our friends, neighbors, and loved ones.

Community Safety for Everyone

Our community continues to mourn the tragic loss of life and crime in our community. Please read my op-ed inviting the County Executive, my colleagues on the County Council, and law enforcement to come together expeditiously to develop a comprehensive plan to ensure that everyone in our community is safe. I appreciate everyone who is and will be, engaging in good faith about how best to keep our community safe.

We must all be in this together with the common goal of safety for all.

Engaging with Constituents at Council Town Hall 

Seeing so many constituents participate in our Council Town Hall was outstanding. It was a very thoughtful and fruitful conversation that led to a robust discussion about our visions for the county and how we can address some of the most pressing issues impacting our residents. As I said during a response to a question on the housing crisis in the county - people are on the edge - if you work three full-time minimum wage jobs, that’s what you need to do to be able to afford a two-bedroom apartment in this region. We have serious problems there. You have to have more housing, you have to have renter protection, but you need stabilization countywide, and we’re going to work hard on that.

Councilmember Jawando makes remarks at the Council Town Hall

Addressing the Rise in Youth Overdoses 

I continue to be highly concerned about the rise in overdoes amongst our youth. As the Education and Culture Committee Chair, I’m committed to exploring ways the Council can partner with Montgomery County Public Schools to address overdoses and illegal drug use. On February 27th, I’m co-chairing a joint committee meeting on the issue of opioids/fentanyl/and youth overdoses. The Education and Culture Committee will meet with the Health and Human Services Committee to discuss the problem's current state, its impact, and our ultimate goal of how we can assist and stop this from happening. We want to save lives, and we want to support students with what they need. 

We must educate our students and families about the harmful and deadly impact drugs such as Fentanyl can have. My attention is focused on education. We need to educate our students about this dangerous drug, but also our parents. They need tools to sit down and have difficult conversations with their kids about why drug use is deadly. We need to give them the support they need to understand the risks. 

One life lost to this drug is one too many. The Council, MCPS, MCPD, and all interested parties must partner on a robust response to address this issue. Our students are hurting, and now is the time to step in and help. 

Combating Antisemitism in Our Community 

Education is critical to address the rise in hate towards our friends and neighbors. The hate and blatant racism that is increasing in our community is disturbing, abhorrent, and has no place here in this County. 

The Council has made multiple statements condemning hate in our schools, and we will continue to stand firm in our work to make all members of our community feel safe at school and in their community. But we must also construct ways to partner with community organizations and MCPS to educate and build awareness of our shared history and future. There are difficult conversations that our parents, educators, and elected officials have to be willing to have with our youth about the dangers of racism and antisemitism. We must educate our young minds in this community about the harm, isolation, and damage that racism is capable of causing. That’s something I’m committed to addressing. 

I’m continuing to visit places of worship to dialogue with people of all faiths about how we address these issues together. I know Montgomery County residents are united in standing up to hate. I look forward to continuing the conversation as I visit places across the county. 

Councilmember Jawando participates in a Jewish Town Hall alongside Meredith Weisel

Education Listening Tour Update

My Education Listening Tour is in full swing. I’m visiting the Gaithersburg school cluster over the next 3 weeks. My colleague Councilmember Sidney Katz joined me at Gaithersburg Middle School. We had an opportunity to meet with the Model United Nations class – which is a full year elective for 7th and 8th grade students. The students shared their experience and needs for more mental health support, adjustment to lunch time and offering more dietary food options, and how to prepare students for independence.

We also met with school administrators where they raised concerns about burnout, and addressing substance addiction and mental health needs for students. We wrapped up the visit with a chance to see the school aquatic center — another great elective for students.

I’m grateful for the tour and the opportunity to hear directly from our students, teachers, and PTAs. The needs and concerns inform my work on the Education and Culture Committee and my engagement with MCPS. 

If there’s something you think I should be aware of, please do not hesitate to contact my office. 

You can stay updated about the Education Listening Tour on my website. 

Tapping into the Shared Economy 

Earlier this month, I introduced new legislation, the Housing, Sharing Economy Rentals Act, which would create an opportunity to expand the sharing economy in Montgomery County, giving residents additional income to help with everyday expenses and increase access to amenities. The legislation would authorize, regulate, and tax residential property rentals for same-day rentals that are a few hours long. New companies such as Swimply operate in the county and allow same-day residential property rentals, including sports courts, large backyards, home gyms, in-home music studios, and more. There is a need for a legal framework for consumer protection and community safeguards, which my bill addresses.

I’m committed to bringing new entrepreneurship opportunities to county residents. On March 7th, I’ll be having a virtual press conference on this bill. The legislation will also have a public hearing on that same day. 

Guaranteed Income 

Last month, I spent time with families that are part of our innovative guaranteed income program, MoCo Boost. Families enjoyed a painting party with food and kids activities. It was uplifting to hear how many participants shared how the program has been making a difference for them over the last six months since the program began. Many are working on stabilizing their expenses, applying for jobs, and taking care of critical medical and food needs. 

I’m honored to be a founding member of Counties for a Guaranteed Income. Counties for a Guaranteed Income launched this month, and I’m optimistic about what we stand to accomplish and build upon. Last year under my leadership, the county launched MoCo Boost, our guaranteed income program, which gives 300 families $800 monthly for two years. Our goal is to help level the playing field for some of our residents struggling the most. When you support residents' basic needs, they can move up the economic ladder and thrive, which is good for everyone. ABC News recently highlighted our work to expand guaranteed income programs nationwide. Learn more and join us at CountiesForAGuaranteedIncome.org.